D OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Non-Classroom Course Credit Policy
Students may count towards graduation up to a total of 12 credits of non- classroom credit activities approved by faculty Clinic work does NOT count as a
Non-classroom activities play a vital role in a student's academic journey, as they contribute to the minimum and maximum credit loads during any semester These activities include Moot Court or other advocacy competitions, participation in the Moot Court Board, externships, publications, and involvement as student fellows in two of the five Centers at the School of Law Students can earn up to 6 of the 12 credits from Moot Court and advocacy competitions, while the maximum allowable externship credits are 9, enabling students to complete up to three 3-credit externships It's important to note that clinics do not qualify as non-classroom activities.
In addition, students may also gain valuable experiential learning through participation in various teaching assistant programs at the School of Law
Legal Externship Program (Attorney Practice, Corporate Counsel, Judicial, and Advanced)
The University of Baltimore's Legal Externship Program enables students to earn academic credit through practical legal work outside the classroom, complemented by a seminar that enhances their learning experience Participants can choose placements in judicial settings or attorney practices, including law firms, corporate legal departments, non-profits, government agencies, or legal service organizations This program helps students apply substantive law, develop essential lawyering skills such as interviewing and negotiating, and improve their research and writing abilities through various assignments While the educational objectives and requirements remain consistent for both types of placements, the course registration and classroom components vary Students can earn 3 pass/fail credits during the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
The Attorney Practice Externship (APE) provides students a valuable opportunity to learn about the law and its practice by working closely with supervising attorneys
1 Students must be supervised by a practicing attorney who is not a relative
2 Assignments must be legal and substantive
3 No compensation may be received for the work
4 Students must attend a weekly classroom component
5 The majority of work hours must be completed at the field placement office
6 Students must meet with their supervising attorney at least once per week
7 Students maintain a weekly journal Journal topics are selected by the supervising faculty
8 Students are required to submit written work product from their field placement; 10 pages for three credits
9 Students work a minimum of 130 hours/semester for three credits and must keep track of their hours
Externships are available to law students who have completed their first-year curriculum and are in good academic standing To participate in the Legal Externship Program (LEP), students must first secure a placement and then submit the LEP Application to the Director of Externships for approval Upon receiving placement approval, students will be assigned a permission number to register for the Attorney Practice Externship course, LAW-860, online.
Students should review the LEP Program Requirements before registering for the class and once registered, must sign up on TWEN to view the syllabus, important dates, and course materials
Students must secure their own externship placements, although they can request help from the Director of Externships Externship opportunities are available on Symplicity, and it is essential that all placements receive approval from the Director of Externships at least one week before classes commence.
56 about the lawyering process first hand by externing in a corporate law office and attending a class
1 Students must be supervised by a practicing attorney who is not a relative
2 Assignments must be legal and substantive
3 No compensation may be received for the work
4 Students must attend a weekly classroom component
5 The majority of work hours must be completed at the field placement office
6 Students must meet with their supervising attorney at least once per week
7 Students maintain a weekly journal Journal topics are selected by the supervising faculty
8 Students are required to submit written work product from their field placement; 10 pages for three credits
9 Students work a minimum of 130 hours/semester for three credits and must keep track of their hours
Externships are available to all law students who have finished their first-year curriculum and maintain good academic standing To participate, students must secure a placement and complete the Legal Externship Program (LEP) Application, which is submitted to the Director of Externships for approval Upon receiving placement approval, students will be assigned a permission number to register online for the Attorney Practice Externship course, designated as LAW-860C.
Students should review the LEP Program Requirements before registering for the class and once registered, must sign up on TWEN to view the syllabus, important dates, and course materials
This program has specific registration rules and requirements for earning credits All placements must receive approval from the Director of Externships at least one week before the class begins.
The Judicial Externship Program provides an opportunity for students to learn about lawyering and the judicial process by working closely with supervising judges
1 Students must be supervised by a Judge who is not a relative
2 Assignments must be legal and substantive
3 No compensation may be received for the work
4 Students must attend a weekly classroom component
5 The majority of work hours must be completed at the field placement office
6 Students must meet with their supervising attorney at least once per week
7 Students maintain a weekly journal Journal topics are selected by the supervising faculty
8 Students are required to submit written work product from their field placement; 10 pages for three credits
9 Students work a minimum of 130 hours/semester for three credits and must keep track of their hours
Judicial Externships are available to law students who have completed their first-year curriculum and are in good academic standing To participate, students must first secure a placement and submit the Legal Externship Program (LEP) Application to the Director of Externships for approval Upon approval, students will receive a permission number to register for the class online.
Students should review the LEP Program Requirements before registering for the class and once registered must sign up on TWEN to view the syllabus, important dates, and course materials
Students must secure their own externship placements, although they can seek help from the Director of Externships Externship opportunities are available on Symplicity, and it is essential that all placements receive approval from the Director at least two weeks before the class begins.
Students who have successfully completed one semester of an externship may register for Advanced Legal Externship
1 Students must be supervised by an attorney or Judge who is not a relative
2 Assignments must be legal and substantive
3 No compensation may be received for the work
4 The majority of work hours must be completed at the field placement office
5 Students must meet with their supervising attorney or clerk at least once per week
6 Students maintain a weekly journal Journal topics are selected by the supervising faculty
7 Students are required to submit written work product from their field placement; 10 pages for three credits
8 Students work a minimum of 140 hours/semester for three credits and must keep track of their hours
9 Students must have an individual conference with the Director of Externships about their placements at least twice during the semester
Advanced Legal Externships are available to law students who have completed their entire 1L curriculum, successfully finished a prior externship, and maintained good academic standing To participate, students must first secure a placement and then complete the Legal Externship Program (LEP) Application, submitting it to the Director of Externships for approval Upon approval, students will receive a permission number to register online for the Advanced Legal Externship course, designated as LAW-860A.
Students should review the LEP Program Requirements before registering for the class and once registered must sign up on TWEN to view the syllabus, important dates, and course materials
Students are responsible for obtaining their own placements but may seek assistance from the Director of Externships There are externship positions posted
59 least one week prior to the start of class
Specialized Externship - Securities Exchange Commission (“S.E.C.”) Observer Program
Students Extern with the S.E.C and learn about the functions of the U.S
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offers students the opportunity to observe and participate in various activities within its four divisions Students engage in critical tasks such as investigating industry practices, examining issuer conduct, litigating civil enforcement actions, and drafting proposed statutes and regulations This hands-on experience provides valuable insights into the regulatory processes and enforcement mechanisms of the SEC.
1 Students must apply and be granted entry by the S.E.C
2 Students attend a weekly seminar at the S.E.C
3 Students must satisfy the work requirements set out by the S.E.C to receive credit
Students must maintain a journal to reflect on their lawyering experiences at the S.E.C., with topics chosen by the supervising faculty member and reviewed on a regular basis.
5 Business Organizations is a pre-requisite for this course; Securities Regulation is a recommended pre-requisite
The SEC's Student Observer Program is a highly competitive externship opportunity that requires students to submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample, and proposed course list for admission Successful candidates will be assigned to one of four SEC Divisions: Corporation Finance, Enforcement, Investment Management, or Market Regulation It is important for applicants to understand that admission is not guaranteed, as some semesters may have no available spots If selected, students must contact the Director of Externships to register for the course, which requires special permission For further details, visit the SEC's official website.
The University of Baltimore offers two primary publication activities: the Law Review and the Law Forum, both requiring a minimum four-semester commitment Students can earn up to 8 credits through participation, with selection based on a write-on competition and meeting specific GPA requirements Members of the Law Forum executive board are awarded 2 credits each semester, while other staff members receive 1 credit per semester Additionally, key positions in the Law Review, including the Editor-in-Chief and various editors, also earn credits for their contributions.
In the fall and spring semesters, executive board members will earn 3 credits each, while other board members will receive 2 credits, and staffers will get 1 credit per semester No credits are awarded for summer session work Additionally, students involved with the School of Law publications can earn one credit/no-credit per semester.
The University of Baltimore Law Review is a prestigious legal journal that offers comprehensive analysis on contemporary issues relevant to legal practitioners and judges Membership in the Law Review signifies a high level of academic achievement and proficiency in legal research, analysis, and writing Each year, the editorial board is chosen with input from the faculty advisor, ensuring a collaborative selection process To qualify for Law Review, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.20 by the end of the spring semester and successfully compete in the write-on competition for membership selection.
D./M.B.A
The combined J.D./M.B.A program allows students to earn both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration degree through an integrated course sequence over three to four years Law students can apply nine credits from the Merrick School of Business graduate program (600 level and above) towards the 87 credits needed for the J.D if both degrees are completed within the same academic year If the M.B.A is completed after the J.D., only six credits will be accepted towards the law degree Additionally, up to nine law credits can fulfill M.B.A requirements.
D./M.P.A
The Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration program is designed for students aiming to leverage their law degree in government agencies and non-profit organizations Students can apply nine graduate credits from 600-level courses towards their J.D if both degrees are completed in the same academic year However, if the MPA is obtained after the J.D., only six credits will count towards the law degree, while 12 law credits can fulfill MPA requirements.
D./M.S in Criminal Justice
This program permits law students interested in using their law degree in federal, state or local criminal justice agencies to take graduate courses in criminal justice
Credits earned above 88 may count towards the 87 credits needed for the J.D degree, provided both degrees are completed within the same academic year Additionally, a maximum of nine law school credits can be applied to the 36 credits required for the M.S degree.
The combined program allows students to pursue both an MS degree and a law degree, but it is important to note that the law school will only accept six credits from the MS degree towards the law degree Additionally, students must either pass the Criminal Justice comprehensive examination or successfully defend a master's thesis to fulfill the program requirements.
D./M.S in Negotiations and Conflict Management
Students in the combined degree program may apply up to nine elective credits from 600-level and above CNCM courses toward the 87 credits required for the Law School's J.D degree, pending approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Additionally, law students can transfer up to nine credits from specific Law School courses, excluding Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Criminal Law, toward the M.S degree, provided these courses are categorized as Advanced Perspectives Courses However, if the degrees are not completed within the same academic year, only six credits will be applicable toward the J.D degree.
Non-law school students pursuing an M.S degree in Negotiations and Conflict Management may enroll in select law school courses, designated as "Advanced Perspective Courses," provided they obtain permission from the Law School’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the respective law instructor These students are required to maintain the same academic standards as their law school peers Professors can communicate their preferences regarding the inclusion of non-law students in their classes to the Associate Dean to facilitate policy management.
D./Ph.D or Masters in Public Policy
To pursue a combined degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, applicants must gain separate admissions to both the School of Law and the doctoral program in Policy Sciences Additionally, if the degrees are not completed within the same academic year, the law school will accept up to 6 credits from UMBC towards the Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
See https://publicpolicy.umbc.edu/programs-of-study/
D./LL.M in Taxation
Students can transfer up to 15 credits from tax courses in the J.D program towards the LL.M in Taxation After obtaining the J.D degree, they can complete the LL.M with just 15 additional credits instead of the standard 30 Admission to the Graduate Tax Program requires a minimum cumulative law school GPA of 2.50 at graduation, while those below this threshold may be considered on a case-by-case basis For more information about the combined J.D./LL.M program, visit the University of Baltimore's website or contact Prof Fred Brown at fbrown@ubalt.edu.
To earn a Certificate in Estate Planning, students must complete twelve credit hours of designated coursework and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 All coursework should be undertaken after obtaining a J.D or equivalent degree, with the exception of advanced credit outlined below Additionally, students are required to fulfill all certificate requirements within two years of their enrollment in the program.
The program’s curriculum consists of the following required courses, all of which are three credit courses:
Income Taxation of Estates & Trusts
In addition, students are required to take one or more of the following electives to meet the twelve credit certificate requirement:
Planning for Families and Seniors Workshop(3 Credits)
Students must complete Trusts & Estates and/or Federal Income Taxation courses if they have not taken them during their J.D program In the certificate program, students may substitute these courses with Fundamentals of Federal Income Tax.
I for Federal Income Taxation) Credits and grades for such courses taken in the certificate program will not count towards the twelve credit certificate requirement or the GPA requirement, respectively
Advanced Credit Toward the Certificate
Students can earn advanced credit toward the Certificate in Estate Planning based on their prior academic achievements Graduates from the School of Law may receive up to six credits from their J.D program for specified courses, provided they earned a grade of B or better and enroll in the certificate program within three years of graduation Similarly, graduates from other ABA-approved law schools with J.D or LL.B degrees can also receive up to six credits for comparable courses, contingent on the same grading and enrollment conditions Additionally, those who completed the University of Baltimore's LL.M in Taxation program may obtain advanced credit for up to six credits from their LL.M courses, again requiring a minimum grade of B and enrollment within three years of receiving their degree.
To gain admission to the certificate program, applicants must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or an equivalent qualification It is essential that J.D degrees obtained in the United States come from law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.
Administration of the Certificate Program
The certificate program is administered by the Director and staff of the U.B Graduate Tax Program
Coordination with the LL.M in Tax Program
Students can earn a Certificate in Estate Planning either as a standalone program or alongside the U.B LL.M in Taxation Those who fulfill the LL.M in Taxation requirements will also obtain the Estate Planning Certificate, provided they meet the specific curriculum requirements Notably, certain courses can be applied to both the LL.M and the certificate, allowing for an efficient path to dual qualifications.
Students in the stand-alone certificate program can transition to the U.B LL.M in Taxation program, with courses and grades from the certificate counting towards LL.M requirements Those who convert their status must complete the LL.M requirements within five years of starting the certificate program Alternatively, graduates of the certificate program can apply separately to the LL.M in Taxation program, potentially receiving advanced credit for their certificate courses under the program's established advanced credit policy.
To obtain a Post-J.D Certificate in Family Law, students must complete 16 credit hours of designated online courses and achieve a minimum final GPA of 2.67 in all courses within the program All coursework for the certificate should be undertaken after the student has earned their J.D., with the exception of any advanced credit applicable to the certificate.
The program’s curriculum, presented entirely online, consists of the following required courses:
• Psychology, Child Development and Mental Health in Family Law Matters (3 credits)
• Financial Foundations for Family Lawyers (3 credits)
• The Craft of Problem-Solving and Advocacy in Family Law (3 credits)
• Understanding the Business of Practicing Family Law (3 credits)
• Working Through a Family Law Case—Start to Finish (4 credits)
Students must complete all required 3-credit courses before enrolling in the 4-credit Capstone course, which is available during the summer session Additionally, students have the option to undertake an Independent Study (1-3 credits) to explore a specific project or gain fieldwork/clinical experience, subject to the approval and guidance of the program director.
Advanced Credit Toward the Certificate
Applicants meeting the advanced standing criteria may be eligible for a course waiver for the 3-credit course titled “The Craft of Problem-Solving and Advocacy in Family Law.” Advanced standing can be awarded to qualified individuals.
• UB School of Law graduates who completed the Family Law Area of
Concentration as part of their J.D program
• Graduates from other law schools who completed, within the last five years, 15 credits of family law or related coursework with a GPA of 2.67 or higher in those courses
Post-J.D Certificate Program Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the post-J.D Certificate in Family Law program you'll need:
To be eligible for admission to the Maryland Bar, candidates must meet one of the following criteria: possess a Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, have been admitted to the Maryland Bar, or qualify for admission without examination under Maryland Rules 19-215 and 19-216, effective March 1, 2019 Detailed eligibility requirements can be found on the Maryland State Board of Law Examiners' website.
• An official transcript from each law school attended, not including the University of Baltimore School of Law
Admission is offered to candidates whose previous academic achievement and work experience indicate promise for success in graduate study
Administration of the Post-J.D Certificate
The University of Baltimore School of Law's Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC), directed by Professor Barbara Babb, is a leading center focused on advocacy, legal education, and community action CFCC is dedicated to transforming the family justice system, enhancing family courts, and fostering connections between courts and communities Its mission is to improve family law practices in Maryland, across the nation, and globally, ultimately benefiting families and promoting community well-being.
Registration dates for the School of Law are outlined in the School of Law Calendar, with the process managed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the University Registrar.
First-year students entering the School of Law must fulfill all undergraduate degree requirements before classes commence By October 1 of their entry year, they must submit a final undergraduate transcript confirming the award of a Bachelor's Degree, preferably to LSAC For those in the combined B.A./J.D program, a transcript demonstrating at least 87 completed credits is required Failure to meet these requirements will result in withdrawal from the School of Law, with all tuition and fees forfeited.
Registration for First-Year Courses
Fall Semester: First year students are automatically registered for courses for the fall semester and are not permitted to transfer to courses in another section
First-year full-time day students are automatically enrolled in their spring semester courses, except for the Law in Context course, for which they will receive specific registration instructions Registration is contingent upon the removal of any hold flags on the student's account, as these must be addressed before enrollment can take place.